BREAST CANCER IN MEN

Breast cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the breast tissue. Breast cancer affects more than 1,000 men in the United States each year. This is less than one percent of all breast cancer cases. Much information about breast cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and living with the disease applies to both men and women. Men, however, do not have the same routine screening requirements as women.

Risk factors for male breast cancer include:

aging (Men with breast cancer average about 65 years of age at the time of their diagnosis.)
family history of breast cancer (About 20 percent of men with breast cancer have blood relatives with the disease.)
liver disease (Men with severe liver disease such as cirrhosis, have lower levels of male hormones and higher estrogen levels. This hormone imbalance increases the risk for breast cancer.)
radiation exposure (Exposure to radiation in the chest area such as treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma increases the risk for breast cancer.)
estrogen treatment (The treatment for prostate cancer that uses estrogen-related drugs.)
Klinefelter's syndrome (This congenital condition causes lower levels of male hormones and higher levels of female hormones. Men with this condition may have longer legs, a higher voice, a thinner beard, smaller testicles, and enlarged breasts.)

Symptoms of male breast cancer include:

any new breast lump or mass
swelling, skin dimpling, or puckering of the skin of the breast
redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
a discharge from the nipple and
a lump in the armpit

A healthcare provider should be seen when any of these symptoms are detected. Early detection improves chances for treating male breast cancer. Regular checkups with a healthcare provider increase the likelihood for early detection.

Diagnosis of male breast cancer is made in much the same way as in women. A thorough physical exam, laboratory tests, and mammography are usually done. The final diagnosis is made after a biopsy confirms the presence of cancer in the breast. A biopsy is the removal of a tissue sample from the breast for examination under a microscope.

Treatment options include:

lumpectomy -- local removal of the tumor and removal of the lymph nodes under the arm
mastectomy -- surgical removal of the breast and removal of the lymph nodes under the arm
radiation therapy
chemotherapy and
hormone therapy

Frequently two or more methods are used in combination.

For more information, contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society or the National Cancer Institute at (800) 4-CANCER. Visit their websites at www.cancer.org and www.cancer.gov.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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